OBJECTIVES:

Electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) comprises numerous health problems that the affected individuals attribute to exposure to electromagnetic field (self-reported sensitivity). These health problems are mild in some individuals who easily cope by limiting the exposure to electromagnetic radiations, while others have to quit work and change their lifestyle due to the severity of these symptoms. This literature review aims at assessing the quality of life (QoL) of individuals with EHS.

METHODS:

PubMed and Google databases were searched on 11 October 2018 using keywords such as “electrical sensitivity,” "electromagnetic hypersensitivity," and "electro-smog" along with “quality of life”. Information on QoL outcomes and symptoms that are known to have an impact on QoL was extracted. We did not explore the outcomes, assessing the causality of the observed health-related QoL impact with the symptoms or the symptoms with electromagnetic exposure.

RESULTS:

We identified 13 studies that reported the impact of EHS or its symptoms on QoL. Individuals with EHS or electrosensitivity scored lower on all subscales of Short-Form 36 compared to the reference group. Individuals with EHS had higher symptom scores on all subscales of the Symptom Checklist-90. They rated higher on the coping resources inventory–spiritual/philosophical subscale than the controls, which suggests that they are guided by religious, familial, or cultural traditions. They also rated higher on the spontaneous, positive, and negative clusters of structural analysis of social behavior, suggesting an impulsive nature, with elevated positive and negative self-image. Individuals with mobile-phone related symptoms (MPRS) showed more negative moods than the controls (higher tension-anxiety, depression, anger-hostility, fatigue, and confusion, and less vigor). Individuals with EHS and MPRS scored higher on almost all aspects of personality traits and stress.

CONCLUSIONS:

The studies included suggest that individuals with EHS had poor QoL. Due to the heterogeneous nature of these studies, a definite conclusion could not be drawn.